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Varda Space Industries is building commercial space infrastructure, including in-orbit pharmaceutical processing systems and reentry capsules. The company designs and operates its W-Series vehicles end-to-end, from satellite buses to heat shields and processing payloads.
As Senior Spacecraft Avionics Systems Engineer, you will oversee the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for Varda's Winnebago spacecraft. You'll ensure all systems are mission-ready for launch, orbital operations, and hypersonic reentry. This role requires deep expertise in avionics architecture, manufacturing processes, and operational protocols.
Key responsibilities include:
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to define requirements and guide designs from concept through production
- Developing electrical architecture, system diagrams, and budgets for power, telemetry, and mass predictions
- Analyzing system architecture for faults and risks; developing mitigation plans and FDIR strategies
- Conducting comprehensive verification and validation of avionics on flight and HITL hardware
- Participating in mission operations as an avionics specialist, determining system health and reentry readiness
- Overseeing integration of Winnebago avionics systems as primary point of contact
- Designing, building, and operating Hardware-In-The-Loop testbeds to simulate spacecraft behavior
- Developing avionics ground infrastructure, test racks, and R&D equipment
- Mentoring junior engineers and fostering continuous improvement
You'll work at Varda's El Segundo headquarters, which houses the production facility where vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. The company also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL. Varda was founded in 2021 by veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, and major pharma companies, backed by top-tier investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, and Founders Fund.
